Oral

Low levels of pharmaceuticals and other contaminants of emerging concern have been detected in surface water, drinking water and sources of drinking water. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) are actively working to identify which compounds are found in surface water, drinking water and sources of drinking water and what the appropriate response to this occurrence should be. The Agency is evaluating both the potential risks to human health and aquatic life posed by trace amounts of these contaminants in water and is working with the other federal agencies. EPA is also working with the broader stakeholder and scientific community to determine what the Agency can and should do to assess the possible risk from these compounds and take the necessary measures to minimize their occurrence in the environment. This session will provide an overview of what has been found in the environment, the various ways (regulatory and voluntary) that EPA and other Federal agencies are working to minimize the presence of these compounds in the environment and present some unique challenges related to this issue.

Session Objectives: 1. Describe the issues and challenges that result from reported occurrences of pharmaceuticals in water. 2. Discuss possible implications for human health resulting from the presence of pharmaceuticals in the environment. 3. Describe EPA's four-pronged strategy for addressing contaminants of emerging concern, such as pharmaceuticals in water.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)